This year we had 28 artists participating in the Competition submitting a total of 62 works of art. Our Competition Judge was Carrollton artist, Tom Nielson. After judging Mr. Nielson said, "This is a fine show and each and every work in it is a successful work of art. Each artist should be proud that their artwork might have won or placed higher by another judge in another show. This was very difficult because of the high level of work. I regret there just weren't enough awards to make. Great job everyone!"

The art is divided into 5 categories: Oil & Acrylic, Watercolor & Tempera, Photography, Drawing and Other Art Methods. So, without further ado, here are the winners of the 2016, 26th Annual Paulding Fine Arts Competition:
The Best of Show was presented to Lily Parks for "Manipulation", watercolor. Oil & Acrylic: 1st-John Kuhenbeaker, "Least Bittern", Oil; 2nd-Judy Cooper, "Old Red", oil; 3rd-Faye McLain, "Somewhere in Europe", oil and Honorable Mention-Paulette Cheek, "Spice of Still LIfe", oil. Watercolor & Tempera: 1st-Jan Ross, "On the Bit", watercolor; 2nd-Jan Ross, "Green-Eyed Tough Guy", watercolor; 3rd-Cindy Barrow, "The Ruins-Barnsley Gardens", watercolor and Honorable Mention-Mary Cash, "Elrod", watercolor. Drawing: 1st-Cheryl-Ann Kennedy, "Passion", pen & ink; 2nd-Susan Gore Gardner, "Duane Propes of Little Texas", pastel; 3rd-Gary Baughman, "Come On!", pastel and Honorable Mention-Susan Gore Gardner, "Lupini Barn Door", colored pencil. Photography: 1st-Rita Mull, "Boats"; 2nd-Sally Hale, "Foggy Morn"; 3rd-Robert Hale, "On Golden Pond" and Honorable Mention-Fred Mintz, "Corn on the Cob". Other Art Forms: 1st-Joe Medina, "The Clown's Soul", Mixed Media; 2nd-Julie Mullenix, "Muppets Postcard from the Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC", glass mosaic; 3rd-Virginia Moore, "White Oak', etching and Honorable Mention-John Kuhenbeaker, "Brat-a-Tat-Tat", Mixed media. The Purchase Award went to Mack Porter for "Yesterday", stained glass. During the run of the exhibit (through June 2nd) voting will take place for the People's Choice Award. Visitors to the gallery can vote on their favorite piece of art and the votes will be tallied and the art with the most votes will win the People's Choice Ribbon. Gallery hours are Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10:00am until 4:00pm.

Pictured: Winners of the 2016 Fine Art Competition: Paulette Cheek, Virginia Moore, Judy Cooper, Robert Hale, Sally Hale, Rita Mull, Lily Parks, Cindy Barrow, Mary Cash, Jan Ross, Cheryl-Ann Kennedy, Mack Porter, John Kuhenbeaker and Susan Gore Gardner.